Beyond Insurance: Financial Help for Families of Hospitalized Kids

By Karen Lewis Taylor

Published: September 18, 2013

For many families of children facing hospitalization for chronic conditions or emergency care, concerns about the well-being of their son or daughter far outweigh worries about paying the bills. But even with many hospital charges covered by medical insurance, families may find that other costs — travel expenses, lodging and meals, and other necessities — add up quickly, creating an additional burden on already-stretched finances.

Fortunately, there are organizations dedicated to supporting families facing financial hardships due to a child's hospitalization. The list below provides resources for free or reduced-cost transportation, housing and other needs related to a child's hospitalization. Some resources are location- or condition-specific or may require certain criteria be met.

In addition, many hospitals offer assistance to families through reduced-rate meals for parents, hospitality suites with kitchen and laundry facilities, and gift cards or referrals to local businesses that offer discounts to families of patients. Ask the hospital case worker about what kind of support, financial or otherwise, is available during a child's stay.

Families might also consider an online giving site, such as giveforward.com, as a way to offer friends and relatives — who may want to help but live too far away — an easy way to provide the gift of financial support and peace of mind.